611.60 d 31/34b, c

The Secretary of State to the Finnish Minister ( Åström )11

The Secretary of State presents his compliments to the Minister of Finland and has the honor to transmit herewith for the consideration of the Government of Finland a draft which, if adopted for an exchange of notes between the two Governments, would lead to the [Page 100] establishment of national treatment for the vessels of the United States in the ports of Finland and for the vessels of Finland in the ports of the United States in respect to tonnage dues and other charges on vessels and imposts on the goods imported in them.

The Secretary of State is prepared to effect an exchange of notes with the Minister of Finland in the form of the enclosed draft upon being informed by the Minister that the draft is acceptable to the Government of Finland and that he will make a reply in like terms.

The proclamation to be issued by the President of the United States would make the undertaking agreed to in the exchange of notes effective on the part of the United States as of the date on which notification is received that it has been made effective by the Government of Finland.

[Enclosure]

Draft for an Exchange of Notes Between the American and Finnish Governments

Sir: I have the honor to make the following statement of my understanding of the agreement reached through recent conversations held at Washington on behalf of the Government of the United States and the Government of Finland with reference to the treatment which the United States shall accord to the vessels of Finland and their cargoes in the ports of the United States, and which Finland shall accord to vessels of the United States and their cargoes in the ports of Finland.

These conversations have disclosed a mutual understanding between the two Governments, as follows:

On and after (insert date thirty days after date of signature) Finland will impose no tonnage duties, light, harbor or port dues, or other charges on vessels of the United States in the ports of Finland which are not imposed on vessels of Finland and Finland will levy no higher or other duties or charges on goods imported into or exported from its ports in vessels of the United States than are levied on like goods imported or exported in vessels of Finland.

The United States will impose no discriminating duties of tonnage on vessels of Finland in the ports of the United States and no discriminating imposts on the goods imported into the United States in vessels of Finland. This undertaking on the part of the United States will be effected by a proclamation to be issued by the President of the United States on the receipt of notification by him from the Government of Finland that the undertaking on the part of Finland stated in the preceding paragraph has been brought into force.

[Page 101]

The present arrangement, unless sooner terminated by mutual agreement, shall continue in force until thirty days after notice of its termination shall have been given by either party; or, should either party be prevented by future action of its legislature from carrying out the terms of this arrangement the obligations thereof shall thereupon lapse.

I shall be glad to have your confirmation of the accord thus reached.

Accept, Sir, the renewed assurance of my high consideration.

  1. Handed to the Finnish Minister by the Under Secretary of State, May 2, 1925.